Saturday, October 07, 2017

Speaker: Katrin Oddsdóttir - member of the Constitution Council of Iceland and political activist

Respondent: Patrick Harvie - MSP, Glasgow, Green

Chair: Lesley Riddoch, writer & broadcaster

Tuesday 7 November 2017 - 1800-20.00

Scottish Storytelling Centre Edinburgh

Iceland's Crowd Sourced Constitution was kicked into touch by politicians in 2011 -- but it's making a comeback.

Katrin Oddsdóttir was one of 25 members of the Constitution Council of Iceland, which drafted the new constitution in a process recognised worldwide for its emphasis on democratic methods and social media tools. The draft constitution contains clauses on environmental protection, highlights international human rights law and the rights of refugees and migrants, and proposes a redistribution of Iceland’s natural resources – notably fishing.

Oddsdóttir has been a political activist from early age, but became well known in Iceland after delivering a radical political speech at mass protests after the economic crash in 2009, while studying law. She currently works as a human rights lawyer at Rettur - Adalsteinsson & Partners law firm in Iceland, concentrating on the rights of refugees, disabled people and children, among other related fields. She has an MA in Human Rights from the University of London and a BA in law from Reykjavik University. Oddsdóttir has a BA in journalism from Dublin City University and has worked as a journalist and copy writer.

Could Iceland provide a model for Scotland?

The event will be followed by drinks and an opportunity to get some food in No1 High Street pub, beside the Storytelling Centre.